Two-time Olympic medalist, former president of the Russian Biathlon Union (RBU) Vladimir Drachev shared his expectations from the performances of Russians in the biathlon competitions at the 2022 Olympics in Beijing. He stated that it would be extremely difficult for Russian athletes to compete with the leaders of the world biathlon - primarily with the Norwegians.

“Our main competitors at all Winter Olympic Games are the Norwegians. That in cross-country skiing, that in biathlon. They will take 95 percent of all medals, especially gold ones. This is an absolute fact, look: at the last world championships, who takes the medals. Of course, we will compete, but how much? If we talk about women's biathlon, then there are very few hopes for any prospects in individual races - in the race, in the sprint, in the pursuit, in the mass start. We will pin great hopes on the women's relay, where we will probably be able to compete for bronze medals, and in the best of circumstances - for silver, but this is unlikely. There are French, Norwegian, Swedish women - I think we will fight with the Germans for fourth or fifth place.

The situation is almost the same in the men's relay, but there are a little more chances in the individual races for men, maybe by a few percent. Understanding how high the level and what kind of competition is going on in the men's biathlon, we are also in fifth or sixth roles there. A combination of circumstances is also possible: the wind, and stress and unrest among the leaders. And again, we rely on the mistakes of leaders, and not on our own skills. All factors indicate that we will fight, but with the most successful set of circumstances, ”said Drachev.

Earlier, the winner of the World Cup stages, Russian biathlete Kristina Reztsova, commented on the information that she missed training at the 2022 Olympic Games in Beijing.

bbabo.Net